A stamp commemorating the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit was canceled at St. Nicholas Church
Celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the historic visit of Saint Pope John Paul II to Ukraine took place at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Nicholas in Kyiv, during which a special cancellation ceremony for the commemorative postage stamp was held.
The event’s guests of honor symbolically applied a special postmark together on envelopes bearing the new stamp.
Participants in the celebrations included Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi, SDB, Ordinary of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese; Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine; Viktor Yelensky, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, as well as People’s Deputy Rostyslav Tistik and Fr. Ihor Shaban, Chairman of the UGCC Commission on Interconfessional and Interreligious Relations.
During the event, the moderator, Rostyslav Tistyk, extended special thanks to artist Mykola Stupinsky, who created the portrait of John Paul II for this issue, and to Yuriy Kotyk for his assistance in organizing the project.
The parish priest, Fr. Pavlo Vyshkovsky, OMI, reminded those present of the words with which the Holy Father addressed our nation a quarter of a century ago: “I greet you, Ukraine, a courageous and steadfast witness to the values of faith.”
This is exactly how John Paul II greeted Ukrainians 25 years ago. He had a special love for Ukraine. During his visit, he repeatedly spoke of the Ukrainian people’s calling to build a future based on the principles of truth, freedom, and solidarity.
Following the official proceedings, a solemn Holy Mass was celebrated in the church, and everyone joined in a communal prayer for the Ukrainian defenders—both men and women—who are fighting for the country’s freedom today.
Parishioner Maria-Teresa Shibanova noted that the Pope’s spiritual legacy remains the guiding light for every Ukrainian: “One of his most famous teachings was: ‘You will have the Ukraine that you yourselves build.’ Today, amid a full-scale war, these words ring especially true, reminding us of everyone’s responsibility for the future of the state, its freedom, and its dignity.”
This was reported by the parish’s press service.
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